Before TCP/IP became ubiquitous in local area networks, NetWare dominated with its native protocol: and Sequenced Packet Exchange (SPX) . IPX was fast, required almost no configuration, and "just worked" in most 90s environments. File System and Security

If you want to experiment with NetWare 3.12 today:

While Microsoft Windows dominated the desktop, Novell ruled the server room. NetWare 3.12 earned a reputation for near-mythic stability, often running for years without a single reboot. What Was Novell NetWare 3.12?

Do not use in production – it lacks modern security (no TLS, weak password hashes, no SMB signing, no antivirus updates).

Clients connected to the server using a DOS-based redirector software, colloquially known as the "NetWare Client" or NETX . This software intercepted file requests intended for network drives and routed them over the network before DOS could process them locally. NetWare 3.12 vs. NetWare 4.x: The Strategic Choice